California Auto Museumhttp://www.calautomuseum.org
Tue, 03 Mar 2015 19:53:59 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=3.9.3FUEL Newsletter: A Guide to Trips with the California Automobile Museumhttp://www.calautomuseum.org/2015/02/fuel-newsletter-guide-trips-california-automobile-museum/
http://www.calautomuseum.org/2015/02/fuel-newsletter-guide-trips-california-automobile-museum/#commentsFri, 27 Feb 2015 21:32:43 +0000http://www.calautomuseum.org/?p=5120Get the 411 on everything an anything about trips with the California Automobile Museum. We want to make sure you have a chance to contribute to our mission in this fun and very unique way. Trips with the California Automobile Museum are coordinated in-house and are planned to be interesting, fun, and adventurous!

]]>Get the 411 on everything an anything about trips with the California Automobile Museum. We want to make sure you have a chance to contribute to our mission in this fun and very unique way. Trips with the California Automobile Museum are coordinated in-house and are planned to be interesting, fun, and adventurous!

]]>http://www.calautomuseum.org/2015/02/fuel-newsletter-guide-trips-california-automobile-museum/feed/0Beer Run: How to make the most of Sac Beer Weekhttp://www.calautomuseum.org/2015/02/beer-run-make-sac-beer-week/
http://www.calautomuseum.org/2015/02/beer-run-make-sac-beer-week/#commentsTue, 24 Feb 2015 21:50:38 +0000http://www.calautomuseum.org/?p=5034Beer Run: How to make the most of Sac Beer Week BY BLAIR ANTHONY ROBERTSON BROBERTSON@SACBEE.COM 02/19/2015 10:00 AM 02/19/2015 6:00 PM Remember, Beer Week is best enjoyed when you focus on quality over quantity. The Sacramento region will have an array of special events, on tap and otherwise, beginning Feb. 26. JOSÉ LUIS VILLEGAS SACRAMENTO BEE […]

Remember, Beer Week is best enjoyed when you focus on quality over quantity. The Sacramento region will have an array of special events, on tap and otherwise, beginning Feb. 26.JOSÉ LUIS VILLEGASSACRAMENTO BEE FILE

What began in 2010 as an ambitious but relatively tiny soiree for beer lovers has gotten big. Really big. So vast and multidimensional that if you’re not careful, Sacramento Beer Week (Feb. 26 to March 8) can completely overwhelm you.

There will be sour beer events. There will be beer dinners and beer brunches. There will be rare beers and new beers, beers that have aged in barrels, and beers so fresh and hoppy you’ll want to enjoy them ASAP. There’s even a 5K running race on tap (March 7) at New Helvetia Brewing.

With more than triple the number of local breweries than in 2010, way more beer bars and plenty of restaurants that have embraced the notion of pairing quality beers with quality food, there is simply no way anyone can attend every event. What’s more, beer “week” is actually 11 days.

This year’s beer week is not without some early confusion. Part of that stems from the changing of the guard from founder Dan Scott to the Northern California Brewers Guild, a trade organization that represents breweries in this part of the state. That announcement came in December, and the expectation was that the coming beer week would be run by a well-organized team.

But while dates for the major events have been established (the brewers’ showcase, the beer fest on Capitol Mall), a complete online events calendarwas nowhere to be found at Sacbeerweek.com as of press time. I’ve been told the calendar will be functional soon. In addition, a previous incarnation of the website – Sacramentobeerweek.com – is still up and running (and is the first hit that comes up in a Google search), though it refers to last year’s events. Visit that site only if you want to show up 24 hours late for the opening night beer gathering.

We will be updating Sacramento Beer Week plans as the specific events and dates are known. As you plot your schedule, think of your favorite breweries, bars and eateries. Find out what excites you and put it on your calendar. Some events require reservations and will sell out fast. If you’re not organized, you could miss out.

If you want to sail through beer week like a pro, we have some suggestions. At this level of beer enthusiast, it’s about quality over quantity. Don’t overdo it. You’re looking for variety. You’re comparing and contrasting styles of beer. And, like experienced wine tasters, you’re not averse to pouring out beer into dump buckets after a sip or two. Along those lines, plan your transportation to and from the event. Having the Uber and Lyft apps in your phone is the smart way to go.

To get a sense of the excitement of beer week, attending the opening event is a must. The Sacramento Brewers Showcase is scheduled for 5:30-9 p.m. Feb. 26 ($40) at the California Auto Museum (2200 Front St., Sacramento).

There will be 35-plus breweries from the region. This is an all-you-can-drink event, but don’t take that literally. Roam the large showroom and take in the sights, mingle with folks and scope out what beers interest you. There will be the standard offerings, as well as special beer week brews and collaborations. Maybe compare pilsners or IPAs from several breweries. See who’s trying new styles. Are there any new sours out there? And if you haven’t had a chance to try some of the esoteric stuff Sudwerk and Mraz are doing, now might be a good time.

You’ll also want hit the Capitol Beer Fest on March 8, which closes beer week (A Beer Geek pass for $60 gets you into the Showcase and Beer Fest). Beer festivals can be unwieldy and, truthfully, the seasoned sudser takes it easy here, stepping aside as the newbies jump from one line to the next with their souvenir cups. Look at it as a chance to hang out and chat up other enthusiasts rather than drink everything in sight.

What you do between these two big events is flexible. I’d watch for anything Capitol Beer and Taproom does (Barrel-aged Day is Feb. 28), along with Final Gravity, Boneshaker, Samuel Horne’s, Pangaea, LowBrauand Old Town Pizza Tap House. I’m also a fan of Hot City Pizza and its devotion to sour beer. The March 2 event at Mother Restaurant is expected to sell out quickly, so if you want to get in on a Mother/Bike Dog beer collaboration and some cool beer pairings with food, jump on it now.Duke’s Plates and Pints in the Arden-Arcade area is a new eatery showcasing craft beer and is worth a look.

Speaking of beer weeks, I heard plenty of good things about the recent one in San Francisco. One of the most important events was the annual Bistro Double IPA competition in Hayward. This is the contest that put Knee Deep and brewmaster Jeremey Warren on the map. In 2012, tiny, unheralded Knee Deep and its Hoptologist DIPA bested world-renowned Pliny the Elder (by Russian River Brewing) and won the gold medal.

If you’re into craft beer, you know how big that was. Knee Deep was brewing in 900-square-foot digs in Lincoln. Now it has 15,000 square feet in Auburn and is distributing as far as New York and Michigan.

This year’s winner at the Bistro is Hammerland DIPA by El Segundo Brewing, followed by well-known Double Jack (Firestone Walker) and Saint Archer’s DIPA. While I have enjoyed the second- and third-place winners, I’m unfamiliar with El Segundo Brewing. Its website shows it’s widely distributed in SoCal but has yet to find its way north. The triple IPA winner at Bistro this year? Pliny the Younger.

Join the California Auto Museum and the Saratoga Auto Museum on another bucket-list tour to Italy. From August 29 through September 7, 2015 we experience the wonderful cuisine, beautiful and historic scenery, and the legendary automotive heart of Italy around Bologna and Modena (the “Motor Valley”).

Experience iconic Italian marques like Ducati, Lamborghini, Maserati and Ferrari amongst others. See Torino, known as the “capitol of the Alps” a city of renaissance beauty and home to several automotive design firms. From Torino it is off to picturesque Lake Como where our experience concludes with the Italian Grand Prix at Monza.

The expedition starts in Bologna, world renowned for its cuisine. We will be staying near the city center, which is one of the largest and best preserved historic centers among Italian cities. Bologna is a wonderful cross section of culture, education, and industry. After Bologna we visit Modena – the heart of Italy’s Motor Valley. Fear not – we will experience all that the automotive fan would expect (can you say Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Maserati?). But there’s more – much more. We will also experience the Modenese culture and cuisine, including Balsamic Vinegar distilleries, wineries, castles, and other cultural icons within the town and countryside.

Then it’s to Turin – Torino as the locals know it. Turin is the home of Italy’s royal family, and has a wonderful old world aristocratic atmosphere. Home of the 2006 Winter Olympics, it also has its fair share of cool car stuff to see. Several design houses make Torino their home, as well as the Italian National Automobile Museum.

See Fiat’s retired factory that was complete with roof-top test track! Wrap the experience up with the Italian Grand Prix at the Monza Circuit – one of the world’s most historic and iconic Grand Prix races. It is one of four remaining inaugural Formula One championship races from 1950 (the British, Belgian and Monaco GP’s being the others).

Come with us as we see the world’s best racing drivers such as Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel, Nico Rosberg, and Lewis Hamilton compete for the FIA World Drivers’ Championship. Watch legendary F1 teams such as Ferrari, Mercedes Benz, Lotus and McLaren battle for the Worlds Constructor Championship. See the Tifosi root on the home team with their enormous Ferrari flag in the grandstand! Fear not if you aren’t a Formula One racing fan – during the Grand Prix weekend we will be staying at beautiful Lake Como, north of Milan. This is a wonderfully beautiful area of Northern Italy – the Funicular rail at Como Nord, the picturesque Basilica’s, many wonderful small towns including the wonderful town of Bellagio. Trip includes:

]]>http://www.calautomuseum.org/2015/02/trip-italy-2015-itinerary-prices-release/feed/0CAM planning renovation starting in 2015http://www.calautomuseum.org/2015/02/cam-planning-renovation-for-2015/
http://www.calautomuseum.org/2015/02/cam-planning-renovation-for-2015/#commentsMon, 09 Feb 2015 20:05:38 +0000http://www.calautomuseum.org//?p=1378Have you heard about our plans to renovate our current facility? In 2015, we hope to purchase the building and property from the City of Sacramento and replace the roof, including adding HVAC, a new sprinkler system, and maybe even some skylights as Phase 1. Phase 2 will be a new 2-story addition of 18,000 square […]

]]>Have you heard about our plans to renovate our current facility? In 2015, we hope to purchase the building and property from the City of Sacramento and replace the roof, including adding HVAC, a new sprinkler system, and maybe even some skylights as Phase 1.

Phase 2 will be a new 2-story addition of 18,000 square feet to the front of the building, with a new Grand Entrance that will engage Front Street, a functional cafe, and essentially moving all non-exhibit components such as our Events Area, offices, library, etc. to the new space, increasing our exhibit area by 30% on the main floor. We also plan to improve the parking lot along with a comprehensive redesign of our automotive exhibits.

The third and final Phase will be to add a 2-story extension to the south, housing a new Restoration Shop and car sales areas.

]]>http://www.calautomuseum.org/2015/02/cam-planning-renovation-for-2015/feed/0Fin-tastic Fun and Excesshttp://www.calautomuseum.org/2015/02/fin-tastic-fun-excess/
http://www.calautomuseum.org/2015/02/fin-tastic-fun-excess/#commentsFri, 06 Feb 2015 00:40:42 +0000http://www.calautomuseum.org/?p=4792Fin-tastic Fun and Excess CA Auto Museum revs up for a new exhibit showing off flashy fins of Atomic Age cars BY EICHLER NETWORK Source: http://eichlernetwork.com/article/fin-tastic-fun-and-excess MORE SHARING SERVICESSHARE|SHARE ON PRINTSHARE ON EMAILSHARE ON TWITTERSHARE ON FACEBOOK Think of the late 1950s, think about cars, think about excess, about fun—and you’re thinking about fins. Now you […]

Think of the late 1950s, think about cars, think about excess, about fun—and you’re thinking about fins.

Now you can revel in them in all their glory while contemplating their deeper meaning, at ‘Flash & Flair‘ at the California Automobile Museum.

The exhibit at the Sacramento museum runs February 14 through June 7, and is subtitled ‘The Atomic ’50s and ’60s.’ Besides cars there will be TV commercials featuring cars with big fins and an interactive art project, designed by local artist Chelsea Lane, that will allow visitors to create images of their own finny cars using magnetized drawings of car parts.

“We knew we wanted to do an exhibit with fins, but it’s such a broad topic we knew we had to have a focus,” says the museum’s curator, Carly Starr. “So we decided to focus on the most iconic fins from that era, and not just on fins but the whole style of the time, the colors that were characteristic, the chief types of chrome.”

1961 Cadillac convertible. Photo: CA Auto Museum.

1959 Chevy convertible. Photo: Guillermo Velez.

1957 Chrysler Imperial. Photo: Henry Hopkins.

“The first fins were in 1948 and they came directly from aviation,” Starr says, noting that later fins took inspiration from rockets. But inspiration came as well from the general zeitgeist.

“People were just so caught up in postwar expansion. Sputnik was happening. Everybody wanted to beat the Russians in aviation, with rockets going into space. The cars were influenced by that,” she says.

“The hood ornaments were very often shaped like airplanes or jets,” Starr says. “Oldsmobile had an ornament of the Western Hemisphere on the car. And cars were so big. There was so much space. Highways were being built. Cars could be as big as they wanted to be. The bigger the better.”

Ron Vogel, of Davis, a volunteer at the museum, writes on the museum’s website: “Cadillac under General Motors seems to get the credit for the earliest fin in its 1948 model. Originally, they were referred to as ‘fishtails,’ and remained in the same basic configuration for some models through 1956. Cadillac also had what was considered to be the tallest fin in 1959 at 40 inches tall!”

Asked about her favorite car that will be exhibited, Starr hesitates—she hasn’t seen them all, for one. Then she suggests, “the beautiful Edsel convertible. It had an extreme front-end style. But it would be hard to pick a favorite. I don’t know if beautiful is the right word for it.”

“By the mid-1960s you saw no fins,” she says, noting of the cars with the largest fins, “It’s hard to imagine driving with these fins. They create so many blind spots. And they would be so hard to park.”

The exhibit features only 13 cars, each a beauty, and each from a Sacramento Valley or Bay Area collector. Why so few?

“Because the cars are so big!” Starr says. Each will be displayed in a roomy fashion to offer multiple views. For more, click here.

]]>http://www.calautomuseum.org/2015/02/fin-tastic-fun-excess/feed/0GOTG Guide to Free Museum Day (Sat 2/7)http://www.calautomuseum.org/2015/02/gotg-guide-free-museum-day-sat-27/
http://www.calautomuseum.org/2015/02/gotg-guide-free-museum-day-sat-27/#commentsFri, 06 Feb 2015 00:08:32 +0000http://www.calautomuseum.org/?p=4790GOTG Guide to Free Museum Day (Sat 2/7) Published on February 5, 2015 | Leave a response By Erica Root Source: http://www.girlsonthegrid.com/freemuseumdaysacramento/ Every year, Sacramento museums comes together to host a free museum day. It’s a wonderful opportunity for Sacramentans to experience museums in their own back yard for free (or half-priced) admission. This year the 17th annual Sacramento Museum […]

Did you know the Sacramento has a car museum? It is one of Sacramento’s best kept secrets.

Settled on Front Street, directly across from the Front Street shelter, this spacious museum is the perfect place to visit on free museum day, because the venue can easily accommodate the people who turn out without feeling cramped and claustrophobic, and they have a free parking lot to boot.

They also have many special features for museum day that make it the perfect destination:

They are serving food, BBQ to be specific - most museums don’t have the means to provide food during free museum day. This is not so of the California Auto Museum. They will be firing up an enormous grill and BBQing out front, making this the perfect lunch-time stop on your Sacramento museum tour.

Kids Activities – this museum is fun for the whole family. Kids will be able to participate in a scavenger hunt that is both entertaining and informational. If that’s not enough, kids can participate in a bean bag toss and create their own license plates out of paper and stickers during your visit.

Model Ts - there will be a slew of Model Ts in the parking lot courtesy of a local Model T club. You’ll have a chance to talk to the owners, while you polish off your pulled pork sandwich.

Remember when your fourth grade class took a field trip to Sutter’s Fort? Wasn’t it amazing? Or maybe you grew up in another state and haven’t had a chance to visit yet!

Either way, think about how much more amazing it will be to visit as an adult when you can actually appreciate the role it played in California’s history! Be sure to ask about John Sutter’s interesting past and some of the deceits he made, which led to him becoming a famous “founder” of California.

This impressive structure on the grid is where I spent the last free museum day. It’s perfect because – once again – it has the capacity to accommodate the masses of people who come out to partake in free museum day. Touring the Fort will be self-guided, but they will have plenty of docents on hand to answer any questions you might have. (And if you aren’t able to make it on the 7th, then check out the Fort on February 21st for some ‘hands on history,’ where families can get a more hands on museum experience and learn about the Fort’s association with the Donner party.)

This year, I plan to spend free museum day at the city cemetery. As someone who is ridiculously afraid of hauntings, I feel like museum day, with heavy emphasis on ‘day,’ is the best time for me to visit this iconic Sacramento destination.

I know of several people who visit the cemetery in the fall, prior to Halloween, but I need to do it without any scary pretext.

It will be the perfect opportunity to learn more about California’s history, about the Governors, mayors and entrepreneurs that made Sacramento — and California – remarkable.

I’ll be happy to let you know what happens and what I learn during the cemetery tour.

But in the meanwhile, I hope you start thinking about how you plan to spend free museum day.

After my discussions with docents from various museums, I’ve come to realize that there are some universal suggestions when it comes to navigating free museum day:

Choose one or two museums to visit on free museum day. Anything more than that is too ambitious and won’t give you enough time at each location.

Go early. Museums will get busy, and the best way to avoid the crowd is to get to them as early as possible.

Be deliberate with the museums you choose. If possible, pick the museums that will best be able to accommodate the bustling atmosphere, and swarms of people, that partake in free museum day.

Whether you’ve visited one museum in Sacramento, or several, free museum day is an amazing opportunity to better know the city that we all call home.

I hope to see you all out and about this Saturday for this exciting day!

]]>http://www.calautomuseum.org/2015/02/gotg-guide-free-museum-day-sat-27/feed/010 Reasons to Join CAM on “From Montreal to Manhattan”http://www.calautomuseum.org/2015/02/10-reasons-join-cam-montreal-manhattan/
http://www.calautomuseum.org/2015/02/10-reasons-join-cam-montreal-manhattan/#commentsThu, 05 Feb 2015 17:41:02 +0000http://www.calautomuseum.org/?p=4769#1 Two (plus) fun filled days in Montreal! On a trip for two, if your partner is doing the Grand Prix and you’re not, no worries – you have 2 days in one of the Gems of the Northeast! And we have secured private transit from our hotel to town for the weekend. We have […]

On a trip for two, if your partner is doing the Grand Prix and you’re not, no worries – you have 2 days in one of the Gems of the Northeast! And we have secured private transit from our hotel to town for the weekend. We have given the option for everyone to feel free to split their time between the race and city exploration – part city and part race…win/win! Leverage our Museum’s membership in NARM and ROAM organizations to visit a number of Montreal museums and collections for free! (This Membership will be included for you throughout the the duration of this trip!)

#2 The Canadian Grand Prix! (an obvious no brainer)

See the world’s best drivers and teams compete in Motorsports premier racing series – Formula 1! Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes, Williams, and others will vie for victory! Every car guy or gal’s wildest dream come true. We have a block of tickets (price extra) in Grandstand 11 – one of the best locations on the circuit, and it promises a view of the start, and exceptional view of the first turn, no joke!

#3 Toronto’s Treasures (rich with history – go Museums!)

Tour Legendary Motorcars made popular on television as a premier restoration facility and collector car dealership, they have a 100 car collection of classics. Enjoy a half day on your own in Toronto to experience one of North America’s most historic cities at your own pace. Our Museum’s ROAM and NARM memberships provide free access to many Toronto museums here as well.

#4 Niagara Falls (A natural World Wonder – nuff said)

World famous. How can you put into words that these are the most powerful falls in North America by both flow rate and height? You have to see it for your own eyes! Fun Fact: When the falls froze over in 1911, people were allowed to walk on them!

#5 Frank Lloyd Wright Filling Station

Mr. Wright described the station as ‘an ornament to the pavement’. This 1927 design is one of a kind and well ahead of its time. You will get an opportunity to see this and the great Pierce Arrow collection at the Buffalo Transportation Museum on a private tour! Yes – the museum is hosting us on a non-business day, and we will have a private tour of the collection.

#6 A day in the Finger Lakes

We haven’t finalized the events of the day, and the Finger Lakes region hosts New York’s largest wine producing region. The Finger Lakes also is home to several other interesting museums such as the Corning Glass Museum, the Rockwell Museum of Western Art, and several air museums. If you sign up for this trip, we might ask you if there’s a particularly interesting attraction to include on this day.

#7 Saratoga Springs

We visit our good friends the Saratoga Automobile Museum as well as visit several private car collections. If you need a break from cars, enjoy the picturesque town and relax. Visit the Horse Racing Museum or venture out to visit the nearby location of the Revolutionary War Battle of Saratoga site (the turning of the tide against the British). Dine amongst the cars of the Rosetti Collection that evening!

#8 Manhattan!!

Stay near Times Square and immerse yourself in the cosmopolitan urban jungle. Tour the Intrepid Museum and meet the Classic Car Club Manhattan – tour the showroom and see the variety of cars and the car lifestyle of the East Coast.

#9 Super Awesome Surprises!

Like all of other multi-day trips we always try and find something special and extra to provide. Who knows what special surprise we will have for you? Examples of what we’ve delivered in the past…
- Mercedes Benz Classique/Restoration Center tour in Fellbach, Germany
- Porsche Museum restoration shop in Stuttgart
- Private tour of Righini Collection near Bologna, Italy
- Ferrari Formula 1 shop and Cliente Corsa tour in Maranello Italy
- Excellent food and beverage experiences (We’ve had food writers travel with us and exclaimed how they enjoyed the experience we provide). – We are very serious about delicious food

#10 It’s not all about cars, it’s about a well-rounded experience that is fun for everyone and still car-centric

There’s no doubt that we enjoy cars a lot, but we clean up pretty well too and enjoy visiting castles, wineries, city and countryside tours, good food, and good times all around!

]]>http://www.calautomuseum.org/2015/02/10-reasons-join-cam-montreal-manhattan/feed/05 Car-Themed Valentine’s Ideashttp://www.calautomuseum.org/2015/01/5-car-themed-valentines-ideas/
http://www.calautomuseum.org/2015/01/5-car-themed-valentines-ideas/#commentsThu, 22 Jan 2015 22:50:11 +0000http://www.calautomuseum.org/?p=4657We know how hard it can it can be to shop after we just spent a whole holiday season shopping! Here are some excellent gift ideas ranging from $8 to $20,000! Whether you want to create memories, get a new vintage ride, or tour gorgeous sites on the East Cost, we’ve got you covered. Check […]

We know how hard it can it can be to shop after we just spent a whole holiday season shopping! Here are some excellent gift ideas ranging from $8 to $20,000! Whether you want to create memories, get a new vintage ride, or tour gorgeous sites on the East Cost, we’ve got you covered. Check out 5 car themed Valentine’s ideas.

1. A 10 day tour from Montreal to Manhattan

For the high roller Valentine! Take your honey on a journey packed with gorgeous views in Montreal and an unforgettable tour to Manhattan. Side excursions include visiting Niagara Falls, museum visits in Buffalo, wine tasting near Saratoga, and a day to yourselves in New York City! Surprise your valentine with this amazing ten day trip.

2. A feast of fins, chrome, and colors

This is the perfect, and inexpensive, Valentine’s Day date idea for that special car guy or gal in your life. Enjoy a feast of spectacular fins, chrome, and colors. You will enjoy the display of these fin-tastic automobiles as well as our permanent display of over 150 vehicles and photo opportunities. Admission is just $8 for adults, see all our rates.
Museum staff and tour guides will be giving out special VDay chocolates, and an opportunity for you to “heart” your favorite car.

For the beer lover Valentine! You couldn’t score any better by surprising your sweetheart with tickets to one of Sacramento’s best, and biggest, beer tasting events of the year. The Sacramento Brewers Showcase is the opening event for Sacramento Beer Week, hosted at the California Automobile Museum, and will feature over 30 local breweries. Tickets begin at just $40 for tasters. More information & Tickets

Thursday, February 26
5:30 pm – 9:00 pm

4. A one year membership – for the long haul Valentine

Nothing says commitment like a one-year membership to your favorite museum! Just $55 gets you free admission for a year and 10% off in our giftshop for two. More Information & Details

5. A vintage ride for lasting memories

Get yourself, or your sweetie, lasting memories with the perfect vintage ride! CAM Car Sales has deals for wheels that you can’t get anywhere else.

To the delight of the greater Sacramento area community, nearly twenty-five local museums will offer free or half-priced admission from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, February 7, 2015, during the 17th Annual Sacramento Museum Day! During the highly anticipated event, most of the nearly 25 museums will offer free admission whereas two destinations located in residential areas — the Sacramento Zoo and Fairytale Town — will offer half-priced admission to offset traffic control and security costs.

Coordinated by the Sacramento Association of Museums (SAM) and the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau, Sacramento Museum Day is a popular cultural tradition designed to encourage all members of the community to experience the Capital City’s incredible wealth of art, history, science and wildlife — at little or no cost. Many of the museums are within walking distance of each other and easily accessible via public transportation. Event coordinators suggest that guests plan to visit no more than two or three different museums on this day in order to allow adequate time to enjoy the experience and to travel between individual sites.

In addition to offering free or reduced cost admission, many of the destinations are offering special activities during Sacramento Museum Day. A sampling of the special activities include the following:

• The Aerospace Museum of California will offer an “open cockpit” day where most aircraft will be open for viewing (weather permitting), a children’s art contest and on-site exhibitors such as the Tuskegee Airmen;
• The Masonic Service Bureau will be on-site at the Discovery Museum Science & Space Centerproviding free electronic fingerprints of children for their parents;
• The Sacramento History Museum will offer hands-on gold panning activities for kids;
• The crowd-favorite Sacramento Children’s Museum mascot “Leo” will make special appearances throughout the day;
• And, the Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Museum will serve cake to celebrate the birthday of Laura Ingalls Wilder and mark the anniversary of Sacramento’s first public school in February 1854.

“Every year is unique and offers new discoveries for guests to explore on Sacramento Museum Day,” said Sacramento Association of Museums Chair Kristina Swanson. “With a variety of participating museums located from Woodland to Roseville, we’re pleased to introduce interested community members to the amazing array of arts, culture and museum offerings available in the greater Sacramento region.”

While admission is free at most of the participating museums during Sacramento Museum Day, admission to two destinations located in residential areas are half-priced as follows: Sacramento Zoo is $6 for adults, $4 for children ages 2-11 and free for children under two; Fairytale Town is $2.75 per person and free for children ages one and under.

Due to the popularity of Sacramento Museum Day, some locations must limit the number of admissions for safety reasons. The event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. but note the last guests will be admitted at 4 p.m. More detailed information about participating museums, addresses, limitations, suggested parking and public transit options is available at www.sacmuseums.org (click on “News & Events”), or by calling the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau at (916) 808-7777.

About the Sacramento Association of Museums (SAM)
Comprised of 30 greater Sacramento area museums working in partnership with the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau, SAM’s mission is to raise awareness of local museums by giving the community the opportunity to discover California’s fine art, history, science and wildlife treasures. SAM achieves its mission through implementing cooperative promotions and developing strategic marketing alliances, by encouraging sharing of knowledge and resources among its partner institutions, and by conducting Sacramento Museum Day each year.